Contact: Della Glenn, USTDA, 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209-2131, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax: (703) 875-4009

B -- BALKANS REGIONAL DEFINITIONAL MISSION FOR AVIATION SECTOR POC Della Glenn, USTDA, 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209-2131, Tel: (703) 875-4357, Fax: (703) 875-4009. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) wishes to announce an opportunity for small business to bid on a Competitive Total Set-Aside for the Balkans Regional Aviation Definitional Mission. This Definitional Mission (DM) will visit Tirana, Albania; Sofia, Bulgaria; and Strumica, FYR Macedonia to examine potential aviation and airport projects. During a recent visit of transportation officials from Albania and Macedonia, a project proposal for linkages in regional air traffic control (ATC) systems was jointly suggested. The Deputy Ministers from Albania and Macedonia stated that cooperative development of ATC systems would be more cost-effective. In addition, at the eight Coordinating Group Meeting in March, the Deputy Ministers requested that TDA examine how to improve the air connectivity of the three Corridor countries. Among the other airport/aviation projects presented by officials from the SBDI countries are the following: Sofia International Airport Passenger and Cargo Terminal Projects; Rinas(Tirana) International Airport Passenger Terminal Project; Burgas Airport Cargo Terminal Project; and Strumica Airport Regional Cargo Terminal Project. Many of the projects would likely be developed on a BOT-basis. The aviation infrastructure in the South Balkan countries is not sufficient to meet the demand of their developing economies. Passenger facilities in the larger cities are lacking, especially when compared with the increasing passenger flows. Cargo facilities are virtually non-existent and air traffic control systems are out-dated. Passenger and cargo flights between the three corridor countries are relatively infrequent. The Small Business Act, at 15, U.S.C. 644, authorizes procuring agencies to set aside procurements or portions of procurements for the exclusive participation of Small Businesses Concerns. The Sic Code for this procurement is 8999. Definition: "Small business concerns" for purposes of TDA award of this total set aside contract means a concern, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operating for which it is bidding. In determining whether dominance exists for TDA's purpose for this contract, consideration is given to annual gross receipts. Any concern that has annual gross receipts above $5 million dollars, averaged over a three year period, is not considered small and is therefore, NOT eligible for award under this contract. The contractor must be qualified to develop a sound budget and Scope of Work (SOW) for all recommended projects to determine if such projects are technically, economically and financially feasible. Equally important, the consultant must be able to provide TDA with expert analysis on the imports that will be required for project implementation, U.S. export strengths and weaknesses by project and service category, track record of U.S. industry in competing for these kinds of projects overseas, the nature of foreign competition, and likely sources of project financing. The contractor should use a life-cycle approach in developing the SOW to achieve the maximum possible success for project implementation. The contractor shall provide a thorough analysis via a technical report to TDA regarding all investigated projects. All participating organizations involved with supplying professional services must be incorporated or chartered in the United States. Consultants planning teaming arrangements must be U.S. citizens or resident aliens. In accordance with FAR 19.301, offerors will be required to submit self certification relating to business size. The competitive proposals method of solicitation as set forth in Part 15 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) (48 CFR Chapter 1) shall be utilized for this procurement. This solicitation in no way obligates TDA to award a contract, nor does it commit TDA to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the proposal. Any explanation desired by an offeror regarding the meaning or interpretation of this solicitation must be requested in writing and with sufficient time allowed for reply to reach the offerors before submission of their offerors. All oral explanations or instruction, given before award of this contract will not be binding. Any information given to a prospective offeror concerning the solicitation will be furnished promptly to all prospective offerors as an amendment of the solicitation, if such information is necessary to offerors submitting proposals or if lack of such information would be prejudicial to uninformed offerors. The Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued on/about (15) fifteen days after the publication date of this synopsis. Because of the urgency of this request, the closing date for receipt of proposals will be twenty-one (21) days thereafter. Only written requests for the RFP that indicate the company's size will be honored. U.S. eligible small businesses interested in receiving the RFP should send a fax requesting it to Della Glenn at (703)875-4009 or a letter by U.S. mail to Ms. Glenn at U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA), Contracts Unit, at 1621 N. Kent Street, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209-2131.* (0153)

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